Melo: I've proven my loyalty to Knicks
Another January day, another New York Knicks loss. Yet after the team dropped its 11th game in 13 tries Monday, Gotham media was still in a tizzy about the latest drama between Carmelo Anthony and Knicks president Phil Jackson - one that had Anthony admit Sunday that his days in New York might be numbered.
Following Monday's 108-107 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks, Melo said he doesn't have to prove loyalty to the organization he's played with for almost six years.
"I think I've proven that. I don't have to speak on that. I think I've proven that over the years, day in and day out," Anthony said, according to ESPN's Ian Begley. "Regardless of what's going on that's surrounding this team, any talk, anything I've still showed that me being here, coming to work, being professional, got to answer (media) questions every day, got to deal with you all, I still remain positive about that. I don't think I have to prove that to anybody."
Over the weekend, writer and Jackson confidante Charley Rosen wrote that "the only sure thing is that Carmelo Anthony has outlived his usefulness in New York," adding that Anthony would only accept a trade to the Los Angeles Clippers or Cleveland Cavaliers.
On Sunday in Toronto, Anthony made it abundantly clear that he considers Rosen's work to be in concert with Jackson.
"Listen, if that's what they feel, if that's what's coming from that side, then that's what's coming from that side," he said.
The presence of a no-trade clause is the only impediment to the Knicks dealing their beleaguered veteran star, who concedes that, "when we lose it's me, when we win it's us."
Related: Knicks cite defensive effort, but it's defensive talent they're missing
Yet Anthony - who lobbied hard to be dealt to the Knicks from the Denver Nuggets during the 2010-11 season - doesn't appear to have any real desire to leave the city of his birth. Rosen's assertion that the Cavs and Clippers are his only exit considerations are likely rooted in the fact that two of Anthony's closest friends - LeBron James and Chris Paul - anchor those teams.
For the time being though, Anthony appears to remain the loyal soldier, fighting the good fight in what could become the Knicks' fourth straight year outside of the playoffs.
"My clarity is playing ball right now and getting some wins," he said. "If (management) wants to come talk to me, I'm around them guys every day. I don't want this to be kind of going back and forth between me and the front office, management, because it's really nothing, I responded to an article that I read. That was that. There's nothing between myself and management at this point."